P.S. do not fall in front of me. My first reaction is to laugh - sorry. :)
Walking with Jodi, Ian and Matt for miles 94-96 was pretty much talking and laughing the whole time. So we decided to start a new trend for the pictures. Silly poses.
I don't think I took the picture at the right second to capture the essence of the silly moment.... but when I look at it, I can't help but smile at my friends and their hearts, and their willingness to be a part of my life and my well-walking journey!
Aren't you glad that God gives us seasons in life? Last week was a little rough, but I'm so thankful that the joy of the Lord is my strength. (One of my favorite verses, by the way) When we are being attacked, the devil goes right for the joy - doesn't he? He knows that's where our strength lies. Isn't it strange to think about the devil knowing Scripture too? Yep - even he is bound by God's Word! So a little encouragement for you... don't let him rob your joy in the midst of the struggle, cuz he sure will try! Let Christ be your joy!
Love to all my silly friends out there - you are God's gift to me :)
35 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 35
Joy of the Redeemed
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.[a]
9 No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.